Artificial body member

ABSTRACT

Artificial body member, such as a kidney or lung wherein either impurities are removed from blood or oxygen added thereto. The artificial body member includes a pleated web defining alternating first and second flow paths for blood in a treating fluid with the flow paths being maintained for the flow of fluids therethrough by means of spacers, the spacers being in the form of folded strips of mesh web material, this whole assembly being a core which is disposed within a housing and the housing having manifolds for the distribution of fluids.

United States Patent [191 Esmond Dec. 25, 1973 ARTIFICIAL BODY MEMBER[76] Inventor: William G. Esmond, 537 Stamford Pnmary ExammerwprankSpear Rd., Baltimore, Md. 21229 Attorney-Charles R. Allen I [22] Filed:FCb. 22, 1972 [57 -ABSTRACT [2]] Appl. No.: 227,845 Artificial bodymember, such as a kidney or lung wherein either impurities are removedfrom blood or oxygen added thereto. The artificial body member ini 36cludes a pleated web defining alternating first and sec- [58] Fieid "2I321 493 0nd flow paths for blood in a treating fluid with the flowpaths being maintained for the flow of fluids therethrough by means ofspacers, the spacers being in [56] References cued the form of foldedstrips of mesh web material, this UNITED STATES PATENTS whole assemblybeing a core which is disposed within 2 f i j a housing and the housinghaving manifolds for the ueme, r... 3,396,849 8/l968 Lande et al...210/321 dlstnbutlon of ulds 3,442,388 5/1969 Pall 210/493 x 6 Claims, 8Drawing Figures PATENTEuuEczsms I 3.780.870-

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ARTIFICIAL BODY MEMBER This invention relates in general to new anduseful improvements in transfer devices, and more particularly to atransfer device which is suitable for use as an artificial body membersuch as a kidney or a lung.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past there have been devised manytypes of transfer devices for treating human blood and perform ing thefunctions of an artificial body member, such as a kidney or a lung.While many of these transfer devices have proved satisfactory,experimentation continues in an attempt to develop an artificial bodymember of the transfer type for treating blood wherein the desired bloodflow may be readily maintained and at the same time the necessarytransfer is effected, In addition to these characteristics, there hasbeen continuing efforts to develop a transfer device which is of thesimplest possible construction and wherein the materials are relativelyinexpensive and may be readily assembled in a manner wherein the cost issuch that many of the elements of the transfer device may be discardedafter a single use or salvaging of components thereof is readilyfeasible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, it isproposed to provide an artificial body member for treating blood whereina simple housing is provided with the housing being formed of metal anddefining a rigid support for a core with the housing at the same timehaving suitable manifolds for assuring the desired distribution offluids through the core. The housing is of a construction which may bereadily separated for the removal of the core after usage and it isfeasible that the housing could be reclaimed.

The core of the artificial body member is a principal feature of theinvention and is in the form ofa very simple yet effective transferdevice. The core is defined simply by a continuously reversely foldedstrip of web material so as to define a pleated arrangement. Insertedwithin the pleats are cooperating web members formed of a mesh materialwith the web members assuring the definition of flow passages betweenadjacent pleats.

The core is one which may be readily assembled and after beingassembled, it may be compacted and slipped into the housing after whichthe ends of the core and housing are sealed and the unit is ready foruse.

The core is formed of relatively inexpensive materials and can bediscarded in its entirety after use. On the other hand, if there is anabsolute demand for the salvaging of any materials of the core, it ispossible to remove the web members formed of mesh material and cleanseand sterilize the same for reuse.

The use of the web members formed of mesh material also provides for theelimination of laminar flow and serves to provide for an evendistribution of the blood against the surfaces of the pleated webmaterial for effective transfer.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the artificial body member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the core with parts broken away andother parts illustrated in exploded form.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the details of themesh web material.

' FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along theIine4-4 of FIG. I and shows the flow path within the artificial bodymember.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5-5of FIG. 4 and shows the flow path of one fluid through the artificialbody member.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4and shows the flow path of a second fluid through the artificial bodymember.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 7-7 of FIG. 5 and shows specifically the flow pattern at oneend of the artificial body member. I

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line8-8 of FIG. 6 and shows further the relationship of the variouscomponents of the core and the flow paths through the core.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated in FIG. 1 a transfer device or artificial body member formedin accordance with this invention, the artificial body member beingidentified by the numeral 10. The artificial body member 10 includes ahousing, generally identified by the numeral 11, and a core, generallyidentified by the numeral 12.

Reference is first made to the construction of the core 12 in that thisis a primary feature of the invention. The core 12 is formed ofa singlelength of flat web material which is folded back and forth upon itselfto define pleats as is shown in FIG. 2. Alternating pleats open inopposite directions and define alternating flow paths longitudinallythrough the core.

A first flow path through the pleated web 13 is assured by thepositioning of folded web members id in the opposite ends of each flowpath. The web members 14 are identical and each is of a double thicknessof mesh web material folded upon itself from a single strip. Each webmember 14 opens outwardly in the same direction as the associated pleat.The positioning of the web members 14 at opposite ends of the associateflow path assures the inflow and exit of a first fluid.

The second flow paths through the core 12 are as sured by positioningwithin the other pleats of the core 12 folded web members 15 and 116,there being a pair of the folded web members 15,16 in each pleat. Eachof the web members 15,16 is formed of a single length of mesh webmaterial folded upon itself. The web member 15 extends the full lengthof the associated pleat, with the ends thereof being generally alignedwith the remote ends of the web members M.

Each web member 16 is telescoped over a central portion of itsassociated web member 15 and cooperates therewith. The length of the webmember 16 is less than the spacing between the web members 14 as isclearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This arrangement provides for thedefinition of flow channels within the core 12.

It is to be noted at this time that the two web members l5 and 16 openoutwardly in the same direction as the associated pleat.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in particular, it will be seen that a preferredembodiment of the mesh web material is one which is of a relatively openmesh defined by a plurality of spaced strands 16 disposed in bondedtogether crossing relation. The mesh web material is a material whichmay be readily purchased on the open market and must be one which iscompatible to human blood. Many silicon products have proven to besuccessful, although the invention is not so limited.

After the core has been assembled, which may be readily accomplishedeither by hand or a suitable machine developed for the same, it ispositioned within the housing 11. As is best illustrated in FIG. 4, thehousing 11 is of a split construction and includes a pair of C- shapedcross sectional members 17 and 18. The core 12 is slid into the open endof the inner housing member 17 and thereafter the outer housing member18 is telescoped over the inner housing member 17 to the positionillustrated in FIG. 4. The relationship between the housing members 17and 18 may be such that when the housing members 17 and 18 areassembled,'an automatic seal is provided between the two]. On the otherhand, a suitable releaseable bonding agent may be utilized to bond thetwo together in their telescoped relation and to seal the same againstany leakage through the joint therebetween.

After the core 12 has been inserted within the housing 11, theartificial body member is completed by closing the ends of the core 12and sealing the same relative to the housing 11 through the insertion ofa suitable sealing compound, such as epoxy, in the ends of the core andthe ends of the housing, as is shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7. Thissealing material is generally identified by the numeral 20. It is to benoted that the sealing material 20 not only seals the pleated webs atthe ends of the pleats, but also seals the web members 14 and at theirremote ends.

The housing member 18 is ofa configuration wherein it is provided at theopposite ends thereof with manifolds 21 and 22 for a first fluid. In theillustrated flow arrangement, the manifold 22 defines an infeed manifoldand is provided with an inlet fitting 23. In a like manner, the manifold21 defines an exit manifold and is provided with an outlet fitting 24. 7

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the manifolds 21 and 22are aligned with the positions of the web members 14 and extend axiallyinwardly therefrom so that flow paths into and out of the first webs areclearly defined. It is preferred that the fluid flowing through the flowpath illustrated in FIG. 5 be the fluid under higher pressure. Normallythis will be the blood.

The housing section 17 is also of a configuration so as to define at itsopposite ends manifolds 25 and 26 with the manifold 25 being an infeedmanifold and it being provided with an inlet fitting 27. The manifold 26is an outflow manifold and is provided with an exit fitting 28. Themanifolds 25 and 26 assure the flow of a second fluid.

With reference to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the manifolds 25 and 26are of like, but reverse configurations to the manifolds 21 and 22,respectively, and are aligned with the spaces between the ends of theweb members 16 and the web members 15. Thus, flow into the flow pathsdefined by the web members 15, 16, as well as flow therefrom is assured.Normally the lower pressure fluid, such as the treating fluid, will flowthrough the second flow paths. At the same time, the

mesh web material will prevent laminar flow of the fluid through thecore and will assure equal contact of the fluid with the surfaces of thepleats of the web material defining the second flow paths for aneffective transfer.

It will be readily apparent that the construction of the core 12 is suchthat the desired flow therebetween may be effected. It will also beapparent from FIGS. 5 and 6 that flow in the first and second flow pathsthrough the core is in opposite directions so as to assure an eventransfer. It is to be appreciated that the web material 13, which is aprincipal element of the core 12, must be formed of a suitable materialwhich will permit the desired transfer between the blood and thetreating fluid, either the inflow of oxygen into blood in the case ofthe use of the artificial body member as an artificial lung, or theoutflow of impurities from the blood into water or other treating fluidin the case of the use of the artificial body member as an artificialkidney. Since the specific material utilized as the web material 13 inof itself plays no part in this invention and since new materials arebeing constantly developed, no attempt will be made here to limit theweb material 13 to any specific material.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing description of theconstruction of the artificial body member 10 that after usage thereof,the two halves l7.and 18 of the housing 1 1 may be readily separated,after which the core 12 may be removed therefrom as a unit. The cost ofthe core 12 is such that the entire core may be readily discarded andthe housing members may be easily cleansed and sterilized for futureuse. On the other hand, if cost is a true factor, it is feasible toreuse the web members 14,15 and 16, although the cost of these webmembers normally will be so low so as to eliminate any true need for thesalvaging of the same.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenspecifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understoodthat minor modifications may be made in the artificial body memberwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as definedby the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An artificial body member including a fluid transfer core and meansfor controlling flow into and from said core, said core comprising apleated web defining alternating first and second flow paths for bloodand a treating fluid, and spacer means positioned within said flow pathsfor maintaining a spaced relation between adjacent pleats of said web,said spacer means including a mesh web material through which fluids mayfreely flow, said mesh web material being reversely folded upon itselfand being of a double ply construction with the plies having a tendencyto open, said mesh web material including individual first web membersdisposed in opposite end portions only of said first flow paths andsecond web members disposed in central portions only of said second flowpaths, said first flow path being free of obstructions in alignment withsaid second web members, and said second web members being of a lengthless than the spacing between said first web members thereby formingfluid inlet and discharge areas adjacent opposite ends of said core forsaid flow paths.

2. The artificial body member of claim 1 wherein a third web member isdisposed within each of said second flow paths, said third web membershaving remote housing member receiving said core and the other housingbeing telescoped over said one housing member and sealed relativethereto.

5. The artificial body member of claim 4 wherein sealing means sealopposite ends of said core and said housing.

6. The artificial body member of claim 1 wherein said web members openin the same direction as the respective ones of said pleats.

1. An artificial body member including a fluid transfer core and meansfor controlling flow into and from said core, said core comprising apleated web defining alternating first and second flow paths for bloodand a treating fluid, and spacer means positioned within said flow pathsfor maintaining a spaced relation between adjacent pleats of said web,said spacer means including a mesh web material through which fluids mayfreely flow, said mesh web material being reversely folded upon itselfand being of a double ply construction with the plies having a tendencyto open, said mesh web material including individual first web membersdisposed in opposite end portions only of said first flow paths andsecond web members disposed in central portions only of said second flowpaths, said first flow path being free of obstructions in alignment withsaid second web members, and said second web members being of a lengthless than the spacing between said first web members thereby formingfluid inlet and discharge areas adjacent opposite ends of said core forsaid flow paths.
 2. The artificial body member of claim 1 wherein athird web member is disposed within each of said second flow paths, saidthird web members having remote edges generally aligned with remoteedges of said first web members.
 3. The artificial body member of claim2 wherein each third web member is nested within a respective one ofsaid second web members.
 4. The artificial member of claim 1 whereinsaid flow controlling means includes a separable and reusable housingsnugly receiving said core and having manifold portions associated withsaid core, said housing including two opposing C-shaped housing memberswith one housing member receiving said core and the other housing beingtelescoped over said one housing member and sealed relative thereto. 5.The artificial body member of claim 4 wherein sealing means sealopposite ends of said core and said housing.
 6. The artificial bodymember of claim 1 wherein said web members open in the same direction asthe respective ones of said pleats.